Dust Collector Modification Part Deux

Hello Fellow Lumberjocks,
Two projects in the same week? Yep. My Dust collector re-Modification is complete and I am extremely happy with the final result. This is based off of DIY Tyler’s design with some definite tweaks and upgrades that he had on his wish-list after he completed the project. The bucket idea is from Stumpy Nubs who worked with Wynn Environmental to make it happen. I’ve posted links to both below. I just adapted it to make it work for me and I’m happy with how it turned out. The filter is secured with chains and turnbuckles for easy removal if needed. This was a really fun build and am really glad it worked out the way it did. It has a much smaller footprint for a two-stage system, easy way to empty the trash can and empty the HD bucket. Everything is about being small and accessible. I laid out the process below so let me know what you think or any questions you may have. Thanks for looking.

This is what my original MOD looked like. It was a tall behemoth compared to what I ended up with.

After removing and disassembling the old MOD. So much valuable wall space…

The original platform about to be cannibalized, along with just about everything else.

Frame from old MOD. That platform under the Super Dust deputy was cannibalized as the platform for the trash bin with the wedges.

As I mounted the motor on the new frame, it took a good amount of strength to get it up, so it rolled over a little to crack the plate around the primary motor switch. Luckily nothing else broke. Just used some Super Glue Gel and that’s working perfectly.

Using the crap ply as test to see if it will fit. Just like Tyler, I used my circle cutting jig on the bandsaw to create a circle that perfectly fits inside the trash can.

Got the frame with the motor and the dust deputy mounted onto the concrete wall. That was rough doing alone.

Measuring out how the wedges will work. The platform is mobile, so emptying the trash can will be very easy.

This is how the wedge system will work. The bottom wedge is fixed and mounted onto the mobile platform. I only have to add the top wedge to get the trash can to seal up perfectly to the mounted lid.

Because the filter support was going to be free-standing, I used the original mounts, created the extensions, and created the square platform below. The platform is on rubber feets so it won’t move much and keeps it off the concrete. I made it square as I thought I was going to need a 4th support, but it looks like it has no issues as-is.

This part worked out amazingly well. the flat part of the metal supports had enough of a gap that it held the plywood circle very snugly. It actually snapped into place. Made my life easier, that’s for sure.

This is the beginning part of the Bucket MOD from Stumpy Nubs. Just testing out the size and seeing how it will all fit.

These are the brackets you see from Stumpy Nubs but the difference is that I made these with standard hose clamps, aviation snips, and some pliers to get it into shape.

Cut the opening for the filter to get through.

Helpful tip… if your circle is small enough that you have a large plywood remnant, use it to help clamp the circle shut. This works amazingly well. I just had to worry about the inner cut.

Added guide blocks to help guide and secure the filter in the proper place. You can see in the completed shot why it’s so useful.

Used Tyler’s idea of creating braces but I didn’t have CA glue, so I just let the glue dry inside. Since the inside lip is flared away from the braces, I had no worries about glue getting onto the metal. I just used some screws to secure it for protective measures afterwards.

Here’s what it looks like after adding the screws and caulk. The top lid didn’t need any screws because it really fit perfectly in the top and the chains and turnbuckle will hold it shut anyways.

Created another circle for the bottom portion of the filter to act as a platform to hold the filter using the chains and turnbuckles. I also mounted the lid to the filter and the support. This worked perfectly. Mind you, there is a seal between the lid and the ply as well as the ply and the filter for an air-tight seal.

Here’s a closer look at the mount using the brackets I made.

Here’s a shot showing how the chains are holding the filter.

HD Bucket with the lid so it can be screwed on under the filter support.

Here’s how it looks secured.

Completed Setup.

Plugged in. I’m only showing this because the bottom outlet is turned on via a remote. Fantastic feature. :)

Great write up and pictures, I kinda wish I needed that big a set up so I could build one. lolI should add I love the Home Depot screw on lids but if you can find then the 7 gal. pool buckets work better and free if you can find someone with a pool. [They don’t have the deep web on the top of the HD lids that you needed but some don’t]I just happened to be at the health spa pool when the pool guy came and asked him for a couple, no problem.

You have done an excellent job with this. All of the parts are well made and look good….really impressive. This is the best dust collector mod that I have seen.

Can you tell us what blower you are using? Also, about how much it has cost?

- Redoak49

Thanks for the comment. I’m using a Shop Fox 1-1/2 HP collector motor. Model: W1685. Got it used for $120 several years ago. As for the total cost, I did a quick breakdown and I think this covers everything I bought. It’s not exact, but close enough.

Thanks for the ideas, I’m about 75% of the way through my own DC revamp which is essentially the same kind of design as yours. The Gamma screw on lid is just what the doctor ordered for the under filter catch bin.

Really like the improvements you made to DIY Tyler’s arrangement. I was wondering, could you pass along where you bought the truck filter from? Is there a make and model number available for the filter? Rough dimensions?

Really like the improvements you made to DIY Tyler s arrangement. I was wondering, could you pass along where you bought the truck filter from? Is there a make and model number available for the filter? Rough dimensions?

The Gamma Seal lids are amazing…. I used one on my frakindustcollecter build the same way you did and I also mounted a mini dust deputy on one for the shop vac

nice looking build but it looks like you got rid of a metal barrel and replaced it with a trash can…. if that happened I wonder why ?

- playingwithmywood

I didn’t know the Gamma seal lids existed until I watched Stumpy’s video. It really is amazing and is air-tight, so this will be a nice change. A bagless, 2-stage system. Love it.Yes, I did get swap out the 55-gallon metal drum because it was just too big and unwieldy to lift and dump out (I live in an HOA community, so no place to just dump; it has to go into a trash bag to throw away and that’s just unreasonable…lol).

Thanks for all the comments. I’m about to install a manometer to check on the filter efficiency from time to time. It’s a simple build, so can’t hurt to get that out of the way. I also got the rearrange-your-shop bug after seeing how much more open my shop became. I’m getting all kinds of ideas and I think that’s a bad thing. lol.

The Gamma Seal lids are amazing…. I used one on my frakindustcollecter build the same way you did and I also mounted a mini dust deputy on one for the shop vac

nice looking build but it looks like you got rid of a metal barrel and replaced it with a trash can…. if that happened I wonder why ?

- playingwithmywood

I didn t know the Gamma seal lids existed until I watched Stumpy s video. It really is amazing and is air-tight, so this will be a nice change. A bagless, 2-stage system. Love it.Yes, I did get swap out the 55-gallon metal drum because it was just too big and unwieldy to lift and dump out (I live in an HOA community, so no place to just dump; it has to go into a trash bag to throw away and that s just unreasonable…lol).

- Rayne

yes I looked for a metal 30 gallon barrel for a while before putting my cobbled system together

thanks for explaining and understandable and yea HOA’s suck thank God I have avoided them